Oscillatable ink pad and print member

ABSTRACT

A printing apparatus for use in printing with inks having a relatively highly volatile vehicle onto selected areas of a record sheet includes an ink storing means mounted for movement between a normal position and a remote position and comprises a porous absorbent material substantially enclosed in a body portion having a limited access opening disposed therein for admitting a printing means in ink contacting engagements. The printing means is mounted for movement between a normal position and a printing position. An actuating means is operatively associated with the ink storing means and the printing means for producing a coordinated cyclical movement of the printing means and the ink storing means from their normal positions to the respective printing position and the remote position non-interferingly through interfering paths such that the ink storing means moves out of the path of the printing means before the printing means moves from the normal position to the printing position and the printing means returns to the normal position before the ink storing means returns to its normal position.

United States Patent Coville [451 Dec. 19, 1972 [54] OSCILLATABLE INK PAD AND PRINT MEMBER William W. Coville, Conn.

[72] Inventor: Stamford,

[73] Assignee: Pitney-Bowes, lnc., Stamford, Conn.

[22] Filed: Feb; 24, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 117,919

[58] Field of Search ..101/103, 104,105, 106,107, 101/333, 334, 327, 301, 310; 118/264, 263,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 451,640 5/1891 Pease ..118/263 X 2,014,727 9/1935 Flood ..101/90 3,101,047 8/1963 Weissman ..101/103 3,630,143 12/1971 Price l ..101/103 1,303,124 5/1919 Specs l ..101/20 3,154,010 10/1964 Rudy ..10l/103X 3,017,829 l/l962 Brown ..101/327 3,333,536 8/1967 Messersmith ..101/333 Primary Exaniiner-William B. Penn Attorney--William D. Soltow, Jr., Albert W. Scribner,

I Martin D. Wittstein and Louis A. Tirelli [57] ABSTRACT A printing apparatus for use in printing with inks having a relatively highly volatile vehicle onto selected areas of a record sheet includes an ink storing means mounted for movement between a normal position and a remote position and comprises a porous absorbent material substantially enclosed in a body portion having a limited access opening disposed therein for admitting a printing means in ink contacting engagements.

The printing means is mounted for movement between a normal position and a printing position. An actuating means is operatively associated with the ink storing means and the printing means for producing a coordinated cyclical movement of the printing means and the ink storing means from their normal positions to the respective printing position and the remote position non-interferingly through interfering paths such that the ink storing means moves out of the path of the printing means before the printing means moves from the normal position to the printing position and the printing means returns to the normal position before the ink storing means returns to its normal position.

3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures &

I V/l/l/l/ll/IfI/l/ll/I/l 1 fI'I/I/I/II/Il/II/i PATENTEU 19 I97? 3, 706, 274

INVENTOR WILLIAM W. COW LLE BY fulfi- ATTORNEY OSCILLATABLE INK PAD AND PRINT MEMBER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to a printing apparatus and in particular to apparatus for containing ink of a highly volatile nature which is applied to an applicator for printing indicia onto a desired surface.

Conventional inking devices using pigmented inks have at least a portion of their ink supply exposed to the atmosphere. These devices are of two types. One type includes a reservoir of ink which is connected to an applicator roller by a wick which through capillary action provides a continuous quantity of ink to the applicator roller. The second type of inking device is one in which an absorbent member such as felt is pre-saturated with a quantity of ink and which, through contact with an applicator roller, provides a continuous amount of ink to the applicator. V

When an attempt is made to use either of these type devices with an ink using a relatively highly volatile vehicle as methyl-ethyl-ketone' (MEK), the ink evaporates extremely rapidly leaving a solidresidue on the absorbent orwicking member wherever itis exposed to the atmosphere. This residue quickly clogs the pores of the member so that it is no longer capable of substantially absorbing additional ink and the printing operation must be stopped to replace the absorbent members or to add additional amounts of the vehicle to the ink or to soak the absorbent members in a container of the volatile vehicle until the residue is flushed out of the absorbent members.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention obviates the foregoing-disadvantages of prior art printing systems by providing a relatively simple yet reliable mechanical device for preventing rapid evaporation of the volatile vehicle'in the ink supply.

In accordance therewith, the present invention provides for a printing apparatus for depositing a marking material dissolved in a highly volatile vehicle on selected areas of a record sheet, which comprises means for storing ink which substantially prevent evaporation of the ink vehicle and has a limitedaccess opening therein, the ink storing means being mounted for movement between a normal and a remote position. The present invention also provides for a means for printing indicia mounted for movement between a normal position in which the printing means contacts the ink storing means through the access opening and a printing position in which the printing means is disposed away from and out of contact with the ink storing means and actuating means operatively associated with the ink storing means and the printing means for producing a coordinated cyclical movement of the ink storing means and the printing means from the normal positions to the respective remote position and printing position the actuating means including means for moving both the ink storing means and the printing means non-interferingly through interfering paths such that the ink storing means moves out of the path of the printing means before the printing means moves from the normal to the printing position, and printing means returns to the normal position before the ink storing means returns to its normal position.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a means for printing a desired indicia onto selected surfaces with a fluorescent marking material suspended in a highly volatile vehicle.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a means for maintaining the absorptive quality of the applicator when printing with fluorescent or other marking materials suspended or dispersed in'a vehicle with a high vapor pressure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing there is generally-shown an ink storing means 1.0 which is mounted for movement between a normal and a remote position as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively on a first pivot 12. A printing means is generally shown at 20 and is mounted for movement about a second pivot 22 between a normal position in which the printing means 20 contacts the ink storing means 10 as shown in FIG. 1 and a printing position shown in FIG. 2, in which the printing means'20 is disposed away from and out of contact with the ink storing means 10.An actuating means 30 is operatively associated with the ink storing means 10 and the printing means 20 and includes a first and second linkage 32 and 34, respectively, and a compression spring 36 for producing a coordinated cyclical movement of the ink storing means 10 and the printing means 20 from the normal positions to the respective remote position and the printing position and to return to the normal positions.

More specifically, the ink storing means 10 comprises a substantially enclosed body portion 40 having a porous absorbent material 42 disposed within its body for storage of a highly volatile ink. An orifice 44 is formed in the body portion 40 to provide a limited access opening for dispensing ink to the printing means 20 as will be described below. An integral extension 46 to the body portion 40 extends from the body portion 40 at an angle to the longitudinal of the body portion 40. The free end of the extension'46 is rotatably conriected to one end of the first linkage 32 so that the ink storing means 10 can be rotated about the first pivot 12 between the normal position and the remote position in response to the first linkage 32 transmitting motion from its other end which is rotatably connected to a crank 48.

The printing means 20 in more detail comprises an arm 50 having a printing tip 52 fabricated from compressed fiber such as felt or a spongelike absorbent material such as spong rubber having its face 54 embossed or formed to the configuration of a desired indicia to be printed onto selected areas of a record sheet 66. The printing tip 52 extends from a cup 56, the latter being fastened by conventional means to the arm 50 and is conventionally held in the cup 56 with the face 54 away from the cup 56. The printing means 20 additionally comprises an integral extension 58 to the arm 50 at the connection to the second pivot 22 The extension 58 is rotatably connected at its free end to the second linkage 34 so that the printing means 20 is rotated about the second pivot 22 by the second linkage 34 transmitting motion thereto from its other end which forms a lost motion connection with the crank Power is transmitted from the actuating means 30, by the crank 48 which is reciprocally moved by a shaft 60 connected to a conventional reciprocal drive. The crank 48 as described above is rotatably connected to one end of the first linkage 32. The crank 48 is provided with an arcuate slot 62 for the lost motion connection to the end of the second linkage 34. One end of the spring 35 is connected to the arm 50 through an aperture 64 and the other end is conventionally connected to a frame or other non-movable connection (not shown). A stop 65 is conventionally provided on a frame or other means for the arm 50 to resist the residual compression force of the compression spring 50 when the arm 50 Bin a normal position as shown in FIG. 1.

During a printing operation, a record sheet 66 is driven into position by conventional means along a track 68 having a cutout 70 which provides access for the printing tip 52 therethrough to the record sheet 66. A backing plate 72 is positioned behind the record sheet 66 when it is over the cutout 70 to insure that the printing tip'52 makes a firm printing contact with the record sheet 66. After each record sheet 66 is imprinted with a selected indicia embossed on the printing tip 52, it is moved to the right of the FIGS. by well known means and a new record sheet 66 is moved from the left over cutout 70 for a similar imprinting.

Wetting of the printing tip 52 is accomplished as the arm 50 rests againsts the stop 65 in the normal position shown in FIG. 1. The body portion 40 is positioned with the orifice 44 aroundthe cup 56 in a sealing configuration and the printing tip 52 cooperatively making contact with the absorbent material 42 in the body portion 40. The arm 50 is secured in the normal position by the force of the actuating means 30.

For a printing operation,the ink storing means is rotated about the first pivot 12 in a clockwise direction from its normal position while the lost motion connection for the second linkage 34 remains stationary sliding in the slot 62 as the crank 48 rotates counterclockwise, in order to provide clearance for the printing means which is driven in a counterclockwise direction when the right corner of the slot 62 as shown in FIG. 1, contacts the second linkage 34 connection. The crank 48 is rotated counterclockwise by the drive shaft 60 and the lost motion connection in the slot 62 allows the printing means 20 to remain in the normal position until sufficient clearance is provided to move non-interferingly through its path after the ink storing means 10 is moved through its portion of the path which interfers with the path of the printing means 20. Thus the lost motion connection allows both the ink storing means 10 and the printing means 20 to move non-interferingly through interfering paths. As the crank 48 continues rotating counterclockwise, the right corner of the arcuate slot 22 engages the connection to the second linkage 34, thereby rotating the printing means 20 against the force of the compression spring 26 about the second pivot 22 thereby bringing the printing tip 52 into printing contact with the record sheet 66. The backing plate 72 supports the record sheet 66 which is momentarily stopped in place in a printing position to make a distinct impression as the printing operation is performed. (See FIG. 2.)

The velocity of rotation of the .crank 48is at least partially absorbed in the imprinting step preventing excess wear on the actuating means from rapid decelerating and the rotation of the crank 48 is then reversed to rotate in a clockwise direction.

I Clockwise rotation of the crank 48 returns the ink storing means 10 in a counterclockwise direction to the normal position and the printing means 20 in a clockwise directionto the normal position about the first and second pivots l2 and 22, respectively. The printing means 20 is returned to the normal position in advance of the ink storing means 10 since the compression spring 36 maintains the second linkage 34 connection in the upper side of the arcuate slot 62 as viewed in FIG. 2. The printing means 20 is rotated below the ink storing means 10 and halted against the stop 65 as viewed in FIG. 1 The orifice 44 then fits over the cup 56 until a sealing configuration is formed thereby'as the second linkage 34 connection in the arcuate slot 62 slides to the left side (FIG. 1) of the arcuate slot 62 and comes to rest in the normal position as shown in FIG. 1.

The operating cycle is repeated as each succeeding record sheet 66 is moved into position for imprinting. It should be clear that a greater percentage of the cycle is expending in moving the next record sheet 66 into position and removing the record sheet 66 already imprinted out of position than in the actual printing portion of the cycle wherein the printing tip 52 is exposed to the atmosphere. The ink storing means 10 therefore inhibits the evaporation of the relatively volatile vehicle for theink while the wettable printing tip 52 is positioned to absorb fluorescent marking material in a relatively volatile vehicle from the porous absorbent material 42 during contacting engagement therewith. Thus the printing tip 52 is maintained soft and wettable for good liquid transfer and the ink storing means 10 does not lose the relatively volatile vehicle so rapidly thatconstant refilling is necessitated.

It is thus apparent from the foregoing that there has been provided a printing system for printing record sheets with a fluorescent marking material carried in a volatile vehicle which achieves the foregoing objects and advantages-of the present invention. It is to be understood, hOWQVCL'IhHI the invention is not limited to the specific embodiment described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, which embodiment is merely illustrative of the best mode presently preferred for carrying out the invention and. is susceptible to change in form, size, detail and arrangement of parts. For example, the crank, linkages, and compression spring driving arrangement would be replaced with a camming arrangement and the printing tip could be moved in a vertical motion while the ink storing means is moved in a right angle motion to uncap the printing tip and move out of the way. Thus it is seen that the invention is intended to cover all such variations, modifications and equivalents thereof as may be deemed to be within the scope of the claims depended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a printing apparatus having a frame and a means for supporting a print receiving sheet at a work station: the improvement comprising a substantially closed printing fluid reservoir means;

means mounting said reservoir means for pivotal movement about a first axis;

a print arm having a printing tip;

means mounting said print arm for pivotal movement about a second axis; stop means for determining the normal positions of said reservoir means and said print arm, said posi-' tions being such that the printing tip of said arm then extends through an aperture formed in said reservoir means; and i drive actuating means for sequentially pivotally actuating said print arm and said reservoir means; said drive means including a linkage for initiating 

1. In a printing apparatus having a frame and a means for supporting a print receiving sheet at a work station: the improvement comprising a substantially closed printing fluid reservoir means; means mounting said reservoir means for pivotal movement about a first axis; a print arm having a printing tip; means mounting said print arm for pivotal movement about a second axis; stop means for determining the normal positions of said reservoir means and said print arm, said positions being such that the printing tip of said arm then extends through an aperture formed in said reservoir means; and drive actuating means for sequentially pivotally actuating said print arm and said reservoir means; said drive means including a linkage for initiating one of said pivotal movements before initiating the other of said pivotal movements.
 2. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said drive actuating means includes a common driven shaft and a plurality of crank means which when operated serve to pivotally actuate said reservoir means before initiating the pivotal actuation of said print arm.
 3. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said print arm is spring biased to its normal position. 